Turkish court releases Kurdish academic arrested over 'Long live Kurdistan' post

A Turkish court has ruled for the release of a Kurdish academic who was arrested for saying "Long live Kurdistan" on social media. Hifzullah Kutum now prepares to sue his university for dismissing him.

Ardıl Batmaz / DUVAR

A Turkish court has ruled for the release of a Kurdish academic who was arrested last week in the eastern province of Elazığ for saying "Long live Kurdistan" on social media.

Lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar said on Nov. 10 that the Elazığ Second Heavy Penal Court ruled for the Hifzullah Kutum's release upon his objection. 

Kutum was arrested on Nov. 6 over "making propaganda of a terrorist organization" solely for using the word "Kurdistan" on social media. His post also featured a picture of former Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani.

His imprisonment came shortly after Fırat University dismissed him from his post following an investigation process. 

According to Kutum, a far-right academic complained about the social media post to the dean's office, which then handed a warning to him. He said that he received dozens of death threats on social media in the process.

Aktar on Nov. 10 said that Kutum is now preparing to sue his university's rectorate for dismissing him.